In CDS Snapshot, we're profiling CDSs from across Australia and ICD-10-AM countries. We'll get to hear how they got into the role, their triumphs, and challenges they've faced. CDSs contribute enormously to patient safety, quality of care, health service sustainability, and CDI as a whole, and we want them front and centre!
Today we're going international and chatting to Cheryl Fenwick from Auckland City Hospital in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Tell us about your current role.
I am a CDS with the largest public hospital in Aotearoa.
What is your career background, and how has that contributed to your ability to work as a CDS?
My Nursing career is largely ED and ICU, but I also have 7 years experience of working as a Medical Case Manager with a travel assistance company. I think it helps that I have broad clinical experience. I am not what I call a ‘traditional Nurse’, having trained late in life and never actually working on a ward, so I think it’s good I have no preconceptions.
What made you apply for a CDS role?
I was so excited to get the role because I had been trying to move into Health Informatics and innovation for a few years but just didn’t find the right role. It was a true blessing for me, I thought "This is it, this is me!"
What does your typical day look like?
I have a 1.5h bus ride in to the city, the price you pay for living in the beautiful Mahuarangi. Typically it’s identifying what patient records to review that day, and getting on with it. Every week is different though because there is so much to organise and plan. Like many organisations, we are just starting our CDI journey, so we have meetings with clinical teams like the Acute Pain Service or the Coding team. Other than that, I probably spend too many hours talking to all the clinical staff!
What was the moment when CDI really “clicked” for you?
Probably at 4-6 months. I think you also get to a point when you think you ‘get it’ and then you don’t again! It helps having a great colleague to share the learning journey with.
How would you describe your personal CDI philosophy?
There’s a great British film called ‘Hot Fuzz’ so I like using their line “for the greater good”. It’s cheesy but I do also like the person who said, “It just makes sense” from David’s closet of stories. When I ask a Doctor to document a change, and I get ‘the look’ or pause, I just want to say “it’s not just about this diagnosis or the next, it’s so much bigger than that’.
What is the biggest challenge you have faced as a CDS?
Anaesthetists, coding rules and being in a waka without knowing the destination or who’s steering.
What is the most memorable “win” you’ve had?
I think we’ve had a few. A local rule for Vasoplegia, creating a video, and most recently the commitment to our partnership from our Clinical Education Training Unit.
If you could talk to yourself 10 years ago and tell them you’re now a CDS, what do you think they would say?
What the hell is that? I thought you wanted to be a Nurse! I feel like a CDS is a Chandler Bing type-job.
What are you excited about in the future of your role?
Growing the service we provide, adding to the team, and extending our reach to new departments. I have a vision for the next few years, and I want to be the person that gets it done. Examples are forming relationships with education providers for our undergraduate programmes, creating learning modules and online resources, an IT-solution to the CDS role and determining quality measures.
Today though, I will settle for a permanent contract!
Want to be the next CDS profiled on CDS Snapshot? Contact us at community@cdia.com.au.
We invite you to share your ideas, experiences, and achievements in CDI by submitting content to the CDIA Community! Contact community@cdia.com.au to learn more.